A clown zips along Avenida Revolucion, adding a circus-like feel to Tijuana's tourist zone. Sharp-dressed locals mingle on a street corner that used to be jammed with American tourists but has recently been overtaken by locals who are propelling a cultural revival.

A clown zips along Avenida Revolucion, adding a circus-like feel to Tijuana's tourist zone. Sharp-dressed locals mingle on a street corner that used to be jammed with American tourists but has recently been overtaken by locals who are propelling a cultural revival. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Ramon Amezcua (Bostich), left, and Pepe Mogt (Fussible), co-founders of the pioneering group Nortec Collective, share drinks with friends at Tijuana's Dandy del Sur. "In 2007 we were afraid to go in the night to the bars, to live the night-life style of Tijuana," said Bostich. "But here,...

Ramon Amezcua (Bostich), left, and Pepe Mogt (Fussible), co-founders of the pioneering group Nortec Collective, share drinks with friends at Tijuana's Dandy del Sur. "In 2007 we were afraid to go in the night to the bars, to live the night-life style of Tijuana," said Bostich. "But here,... (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

A crowd comes to hear music and down dozens of varieties of mescal at La Mezcalera on La Sexta, one of the more popular streets that's home to various cantinas and shops.

A crowd comes to hear music and down dozens of varieties of mescal at La Mezcalera on La Sexta, one of the more popular streets that's home to various cantinas and shops. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

In recent years a number of Tijuana artists and musicians have been quietly repopulating some of the city's downtown bars and other former tourist haunts and using them to stage art events, jam sessions and other happenings.